Wrapping up campaign, Bill White cites “few regrets”

Heading home for a couple of final Facebook posts after Election Day campaign stops in San Antonio and Dallas, Bill White this afternoon share a few thoughts on his candidacy for the governor’s office. If nothing else, he said, it gave hope to the flagging spirits of centrist Democrats who like their GOP counterparts often get short shrift as media focuses on the edge of both parties.

“It has been a shot in the arm to the real political center and to Texas Democrats who are fiscally conservative like I am,” White said by telephone. “We expect this to be a close contest and to send a signal to people in the U.S. that there is a strong political center, and that there are many people who don’t want to eliminate all of government but who believe the government should be run well, with limits, and run efficiently. I think this campaign will give those people heart. And that’s one reason why the race has attracted so much national attention.”

White said he sensed from meeting with voters of both parties that their greatest frustration stems not as much from differing views about what they want their government to do — as talk-show hosts, pundits and Tea Party activists often insist — but on what candidates too often do once they are elected.

“Time and time again, people of both political parties, even those passionate about the things they believe, said we have too many political leaders who seek to advance their careers through advocacy once in office,” White said. “There’s a feeling that once in office, people pursue more partisan aims.”

White said the fatigue that comes from a long and difficult campaign began to diminish when he experienced enthusiastic crowds and supporters in recent weeks. Likening the campaign to his experience running marathons, he said the worst period came “from mile 15 to mile 24,” when the finish line may be visible but is still miles away.

“The enthusiastic and passionate crowds gave us a second wind,” he said.

Asked about his biggest disappointment of the race, White said it was watching his record as mayor distorted in campaign ads. He said many issues that were thoroughly discussed, resolved and in no way reflected any partisan dispute were turned into something else in political spots.

As for the legacy, if any, of his bid for the governor’s office, he said he hopes it will be his emphasis on public education, the improvement of which is essential for the advancement of the state.

“The most gratifying thing was working with so many hundreds of young people for such extended hours,” he said. “The young people have a great stake in the future of this state. I found them hard-working, practical, mainstream in their political beliefs. They really kept me going.”